Kayakalp Ayurveda – The Essence Of Holistic Wellbeing

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Ayurveda And Heart Care During Menopause

World Heart Day – 2013

This year’s theme addresses the importance of a life-course approach to the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with a focus on women and children.

Today we have an opportunity to prevent the future impact of heart disease and stroke by adopting heart-healthy living from childhood throughout adulthood.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women accounting for approximately 45% of mortality .The incidence of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in women which is about a fourth of that in men in premenopausal years rapidly increases in the postmenopausal years to approximately same as men . Atherogenic lipids are also increased.

This has been attributed partly to alterations in lipid profile . The HDL or good cholesterol level is about 10 mg/dl higher in both pre and post menopausal women than in men . However total and LDL or bad cholesterol levels which are lower in premenopausal women rise rapidly after menopause .

According to Ayurveda , decline in ojus , avalambaka kapha due to excess of vata causes cardiovascular diseases .

Menopause : According to WHO , Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovrian follicular activity . The average age is around 50 years with limits between 45 – 55 years .

According to Ayurveda , Rajonivritti ( menopause ) is a normal physiology which occurs due to ageing .

Rajonivritti is made up of ‘ Rajah ’ & ‘ Nivritti ’ where

Rajah is artava ( menstrual blood ) , stri pushpa ( ovum )

Nivritti is end or cessation , therefore

During the period of Rajonivritti , there is decline in the nourishment and function of all the dhatus ( tissues ) of body . Ageing process affects the homeostatic efficiency of the body .

Cardiovascular Symptoms :

* Palpitations and precordial pains .

* Hot Flushes : They vary in number from 1-2 in 24 hours to 1 in every 15 – 30 minutes and often associated with profuse sweating .

They occur by night as well as by day and sleep is disturbed by night sweats which leave woman bathed in perspiration . Vasodilatation is followed by vasoconstriction , so after a flush comes a shiver .

Ayurvedic Management :

To lead a quality and healthy life Ayurveda has advocated Rasayan Therapy . Rasayan can be understood as a vitalizer which replenishes the vital tissues or dhatus . Rasayanas are of three types :

a) Achara Rasayan ( Daily Routine )

b) Ahara Rasayan ( Diet )

c) Dravya Rasayan ( Herbs )

ACHARA RASAYAN : It is related to lifestyle management . It has been proved that good moral life with hygienic living and physically active routine improves quality of life .

Sedentary lifestyle , cigarette smoking , high intake of salt , consumption of alcohol , coffee , aerated drinks should be avoided as they are associated with high incidence of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases .

AHARA RASAYAN : A balanced vegetarian diet is the most important aspect of the preventive management of menopause . Daily intake of Ghee ( clarified butter ) , milk – articles which increase kapha , can delay the onset of menopause . Ghee is a good source of omega -3-fatty acids and reduces atherogenic lipids in serum .

Phytoestrogens are plant derived substances whose structure result in a chemical nature similar to endogenous oestrogens of humans. They have antioxidant property and are adaptogens also . Phytoestrogens act as SERM ( Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators ) which produce the desired action without side effects . They act as anti oestrogenic in breast and uterine tissue but oestrogenic in bone , brain , lipid metabolism and cardiovascular system .

For cardiovascular system Terminalia arjuna is the best cardioprotective and cardiac tonic . Along with this Allium sativum , Commiphora mukul , Vitis vinifera , Zingiber officinale , Nardostachys jatamansi etc can be taken under supervision .

Menopause is not an oestrogen deficient state . Rather it is a transition phase in which all the systems are affected . So Ayurveda can assist women in their journey towards better physical , mental & spiritual health during menopause .